Victoria, British Columbia, August 29, 2007 - A new trail for cyclists
and pedestrians that links the growing West Shore with downtown Victoria
will be built with $11.3 million in federal funding through the Gas Tax
Fund. The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, on behalf
of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure
and Communities, announced the funding at a celebration today.
Joined by Honourable Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services, UBCM
1st Vice President Susan Gimse and Capital Regional District (CRD) Chair
Denise Blackwell, Minister Lunn praised the commitment shown by the CRD
for creating new transportation options in the Capital region.
"This important investment creates environmentally sustainable
infrastructure that will encourage residents to get out of their cars and
onto their bicycles to enjoy these beautiful trails," said Minister Lunn.
"This project supports the commitment by Canada's New Government to
provide Canadians with cleaner air and an improved quality of life."
The trail will be built alongside the existing E&N rail line and
will be 17 km in length, running from the Johnson St. Bridge to Humpback
Road in Langford. It is estimated there could be 200,000 new cycling and
walking trips in the first year. When fully operational, the trail will
contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
"With projects like the E&N Trail, people can get out of their cars
and make healthier choices by walking or cycling around their
communities," said Chong. "This partnership is another way we are creating
compact, pedestrian-friendly communities, supporting our government's goal
of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in British Columbia by 33 per cent by
2020."
The plan for E&N Rail Trail will include new connections to the
Galloping Goose Regional Trail and the Trans Canada Trail. It will also
include several new overpasses that will eliminate at-grade rail crossings
and will improve user safety and enjoyment.Canada's New Government
is providing $635.6 million to British Columbia from 2005 to 2010 through
the Gas Tax Agreement. As part of its $33 billion "Building Canada" plan,
the Government of Canada extended the Gas Tax Fund by an additional $2
billion per year nationally, from 2010 to 2014. Gas Tax funding is
available to local governments for environmentally sustainable
infrastructure projects that lead to the reduction of greenhouse gas, to
cleaner air or to cleaner water. The Gas Tax Agreement is administered in
British Columbia by the Union of BC Municipalities. "Today's
announcement is a demonstration of the kind of results that British
Columbians can expect from the Canada-BC-UBCM Gas Tax Agreement," said
UBCM 1st Vice President Gimse. "The E&N Rail Trail provides a new
transportation option for commuters into the downtown core."The new
trail is a critical component of the CRD's Regional Growth Strategy, the
CRD Parks and Trails Master Plan, TravelChoices, and the Capital Regional
Community Energy Plan.
"The E&N Trail will be an environmental, recreational and economic
boon to our region," said CRD Chair Blackwell.
The detailed design for the trail is expected to be completed in April
2008, and the trail is expected to be fully operational by 2010.
For images of the trail design, please visit http://www.crd.bc.ca/
Funding for the E&N Trail comes from the Regionally Significant
Project and General Strategic Priorities Funds of the Canada – BC – UBCM
Gas Tax Agreement. For further information on the Gas Tax Agreement in BC,
go to http://www.civicnet.bc.ca/
or http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/
Contacts:
Natalie SarafianPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of
Transport, Infrastructure and Communities613-991-0700
Infrastructure Canada 613-948-1148
Marc BlackCommunications ManagerMinistry of Community
Services250-356-6334 Paul TaylorRelationships and
Communications AdvisorUnion of BC Municipalities250-356-2938
Kelly DanielsChief Administrative OfficerCapital Regional
District250-478-3344
